Davos: The Future of Space

From the editors and reporters of Scientific American , this blog delivers commentary, opinion and analysis on the latest developments in science and technology and their influence on society and policy. From reasoned arguments and cultural critiques to personal and skeptical takes on interesting science news, you'll find a wide range of scientifically relevant insights here. Follow on Twitter @sciam.

Panel for "The Future of Space" at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. Left to right, Mariette DiChristina, Julien Anfruns, Brian Weeden, Ray Johnson and Eric Anderson. Credit: Mariette DiChristina

Space: the beneficial frontier. That was the underlying theme of a panel called “The Future of Space,” which I moderated at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos, Switzerland. It was the first such session on space services in the formal part of the program at this meeting of leaders in policy and business—and its focus was decidedly down to Earth.

“Many of the world’s great global challenges can be effectively addressed by space-based satellites,” added panelist Ray O. Johnson, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Lockheed Martin.

“We are users of this technology especially for disaster relief,” said panelist Julien Anfruns, director-general, International Council of Museums. He showed images of war zones, where leaders can ensure that areas of cultural importance have not been damaged—or track whether they have been. Weeden noted the technology also has been used for war prevention in Sudan.

Along with the benefits come challenges, however. Growing services mean there are some 1,000 active satellites—and 21,000 pieces of debris bigger than 10 centimeter, with a much more vast number smaller than that (and still potentially dangerous). Other challenges include crowded communication bands, just as skyrocketing cellphone use creates crowding here on Earth, and even potential intentional signal jamming. Externally, solar storms, where the sun releases bursts of electromagnetic energy, could cause service disruptions on satellites, electrical power grids and mission launches.

The challenges are not only technological. Other areas of concern include finding good models for governance of this global common and updating legal frameworks, with are relicts of the Cold War. Eric Anderson, chairman and cofounder of Space Adventures, mentioned, for instance, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. (See Anderson’s summary post of the session for the WEF blog here ).

At the end of the session, I asked each panelist what one thing he would like to see happen. Johnson called for seeding of public-private

An illustration of the topics covered in The Future of Space panel discussion at the World Economic Forum meeting at Davos. Credit: Mariette DiChristina

partnerships to build coherent policy programs. Anderson wanted to further establish property rights—maybe even incentives plans—and to ease Cold War-era restrictions. Anfruns encouraged reaching out to the public to provide them with better knowledge about cultural and scientific benefits. Weeden sought ways to connect people working in the space arena with the people who would benefit from such services. For another interesting perspective, see the “mind map” created by the WEF team. One thing is clear: There’ll be plenty to discuss in future WEF sessions.

About the Author: Editor in Chief, Mariette DiChristina, oversees Scientific American, ScientificAmerican.com, Scientific American MIND and all newsstand special editions. Follow on Twitter @mdichristina.

3 Comments

Gosh…must have been bored to tears. This is what ‘space’ discussion has become? A bureaucratic elite panel of suits and ties spouting fluff and platitudes.

Hint…interest by the under 20 age group in space…almost non-existent. A half century ago, in 1963, if there hade been the Internet, this blog would have had 10 million postings by kids dressed up on space suits.

“Anfruns encouraged reaching out to the public to provide them with better knowledge about cultural and scientific benefits. Weeden sought ways to connect people working in the space arena with the people who would benefit from such services” OMG…is there a panel on watching paint dry?